De Gea hoping for World Cup chance

Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea hopes Victor Valdes' season-ending injury will give him the chance to go to the World Cup with Spain.

De Gea has yet to win a cap for his nation, with manager Vicente del Bosque opting to select Iker Casillas, Valdes and Pepe Reina as his goalkeepers.

However, with Valdes likely to be sidelined for around seven months for Barcelona with a knee injury after tearing a cruciate ligament and set to miss the World Cup, De Gea is looking to be his replacement for the reigning world and European champions in Brazil in the summer.

"Victor Valdes has picked up an injury and the first thing to say is that's an absolute shame and not something you'd wish on anybody, least of all him," De Gea told United's official Facebook page.

"It's an awful situation but perhaps it might open a door for me to be at the World Cup."

De Gea has played for Spain in all age categories, but with the experienced trio of Casillas, Valdes and Reina boasting a total of 204 caps between them, the 23-year-old continues to be overlooked by Del Bosque.